Authorities have discovered the bodies of two teenagers in a secluded area of a US national park. Police have announced they are investigating the deaths under suspicious circumstances.
The bodies of Pandora Kjolsrud, age 18, and Evan Clark, age 17, both from Arizona, were found in Tonto National Forest near Mount Ord, which is about a 90-minute drive from Phoenix, on Tuesday morning, May 27.
The teenagers reportedly died from gunshot wounds after embarking on a camping trip over Memorial Day weekend. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner has determined the date of their deaths as last Monday, May 26, and officially classified them as homicides.
Supporters have created GoFundMe pages to aid their grieving parents. Evan’s mother, Sandra Malibu Sweeney, shared her appreciation for the overwhelming support she has received after losing “my only child and my beloved son.”
In a poignant statement on the GoFundMe page, she expressed, “This last week Evan was taken from me, and my level of grief feels insurmountable. I find myself at a complete loss to imagine a life without him. It is a small comfort to share some things about this boy who was on his way to becoming a wonderful man.”
She described Evan as extraordinary, stating, “Evan wasn’t a typical teenager. He was funny, bright, kind and entrepreneurial. He was an old soul who was sensitive and loving. Evan wrote me letters, the last of which he gave me on Mother’s Day that was so touching it made me both laugh and cry. He was special. He deserved a long life.”
She closed her message with a verse from the Dhammapada: “Let go of the past, let go of the future, let go of the present, and cross to the far shore. With the mind and body liberated, you shall suffer no more.”
The GoFundMe page for Pandora highlights her love for animals, noting her “special bond with her two little dogs and never failed to stop and greet any dog she passed on her hikes and neighborhood walks.”
The page also commemorates her life, saying, “Pandora Kjolsrud was just 18 years old when her life was violently taken on May 26th, 2025. She had a vivacious personality with an infectious smile that brought joy to so many.”
“She was a beautiful human being and a bright light in this world who loved every single person she met and had a unique ability to make every person feel special.”
The page further notes her passion for music and the outdoors: “She loved music in all of its forms and enjoyed playing violin, cello and guitar. The outdoors is where she truly felt at home. She loved camping, horseback riding, kayaking and hiking with friends and family.”
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed to ABC 15 Arizona that the deaths of Evan and Pandora are being treated as suspicious. They stated, “At this time, our focus is on conducting a comprehensive and meticulous investigation to ensure justice for the victims and their loved ones.
“We are coordinating closely with our law enforcement partners and ask for patience and respect for the investigative process as we work through the facts.”